The Lakeside (Hot Springs, AR) varsity football team will face Farmington (AR) in a neutral-site playoff game today at 8 p.m. This game is part of the “2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 5A Football State Bracket,” featuring two strong teams vying for postseason advancement.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas State High School Football Playoff
Who: Lakeside (AR) vs Farmington (AR)
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 5A Football State Bracket
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Lakeside vs. Farmington

The matchup between Farmington and Lakeside presents an exciting clash of two top-tier teams with impressive records and notable individual performances. Both teams have shown their strength in various areas, from offensive production to defensive consistency. This article will break down their team statistics, key players, and season records to offer a closer look at how these teams stack up against each other.

Offensive Strengths: Farmington vs. Lakeside

Farmington:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: 207.6
• Passing Yards Per Game: 188.0
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 187.3
• Total Yards Per Game: 395.6
• Points Per Game: 38.9

Farmington is a balanced offensive team, combining a powerful running game with a solid passing attack. Their 207.6 rushing yards per game is a key factor in their success, while their passing game adds another layer of versatility, producing 188.0 yards per game. This well-rounded offense leads to an impressive 395.6 total yards per game and an average of 38.9 points per game.

Lakeside:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: 20.1
• Passing Yards Per Game: 50.8
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 17.2
• Total Yards Per Game: 36.4
• Points Per Game: 2.6

Lakeside’s offensive numbers are notably weaker in comparison. Averaging only 36.4 total yards per game and 2.6 points per game, the team struggles both on the ground and in the air. With limited offensive output, Lakeside will need to make significant improvements to remain competitive in future matchups.

Key Players: Farmington’s Key Contributors

Farmington boasts several standout players who drive their offense and defense:

• Grady Ohman leads the team in:
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: 178.3
  • Points Per Game: 13.5
  • Ohman’s contributions on the ground have been crucial, making him one of the top offensive players in the league.
• Wally Wolcott, another key player, has excelled in passing:
  • Passing Yards Per Game: 185.5
  • Total Yards Per Game: 190.0
  • Wolcott’s ability to move the ball efficiently through the air has helped balance Farmington’s offensive attack.
• Ryan Ballard leads the team in receiving yards with 71.8 per game, adding a significant dimension to the offense.

On defense, Luke Wrublesky has been a standout, averaging 8.5 tackles per game, ranking 10th nationally. Blake Vincent also provides solid defensive contributions with 0.3 sacks per game.

Defensive Strengths: Lakeside’s Struggles

Despite Farmington’s offensive dominance, Lakeside has shown defensive promise:

• Tackles Per Game: 8.5 (Luke Wrublesky leads)
• Sacks Per Game: 0.3 (Blake Vincent leads)

While Lakeside’s defensive numbers aren’t as impressive as Farmington’s, they will need to rely heavily on their defense to counteract their struggles on offense. Their performance in stopping the run and getting to the quarterback will be crucial in future matchups.

Common Opponents and Head-to-Head Results

Both teams have faced Camden Fairview in their schedules and recorded victories, though with differing margins:

• Farmington defeated Camden Fairview 42-21.
• Lakeside won a closer game against Camden Fairview 43-36.

Farmington’s more dominant victory suggests they may have a stronger overall game plan when facing tough competition, though Lakeside’s resilience in their win cannot be overlooked.

Record Breakdown

• Farmington: 11-1 overall, 7-0 in league play, 2-1 in non-league games
• Lakeside: 10-2 overall, 6-1 in league play, 2-1 in non-league games

Farmington has had an impressive season with only one loss, while Lakeside, with a solid 10-2 record, has still proven competitive in all areas. Both teams have been successful in their respective leagues, with Farmington slightly ahead in terms of overall performance.

Home and Away Performance

• Farmington: 5-0 at home, 5-1 away
• Lakeside: 6-0 at home, 2-2 away

Farmington has shown impressive consistency on the road, but Lakeside has been particularly strong at home, winning all of their home games this season. Farmington’s slightly weaker away performance could present a challenge if they face Lakeside on the road in future matchups.

Playoff Success

• Farmington: 2-0 in playoff games
• Lakeside: 2-0 in playoff games

Both teams have been perfect in playoff action, winning every game they’ve played so far. Their postseason success speaks to their ability to perform under pressure, making them both formidable contenders in the upcoming rounds.

Conclusion

Farmington’s balanced offensive attack, led by Grady Ohman and Wally Wolcott, has been a major factor in their success this season, with high rushing and passing yardage. In contrast, Lakeside has struggled offensively but has shown some promise in their defensive efforts. While Farmington’s higher offensive output and overall success put them at an advantage, Lakeside’s resilience and playoff experience could make them a tough opponent in the right conditions.

The matchup between these two teams will likely come down to which team can execute their strengths more effectively—Farmington’s offensive firepower or Lakeside’s defensive grit. With both teams having shown dominance in the playoffs, the upcoming contests between them could be exciting and tightly contested.